Mongabay · Climate & nature

New Giant Water Lily Species Discovered in Colombia

A new species of giant water lily, Victoria colombiana, has been identified in Colombia's Inírida River, thanks to a discovery initiated by an Instagram post and confirmed through a subsequent expedition.

The discovery began when giant water lily expert Carlos Magdalena noticed Instagram photos of a plant in the Inírida River that differed from known species. He suspected it was a new species as no Victoria water lilies had been reported from that basin.

Using satellite imagery, Magdalena identified large floating pads in the river system, prompting a five-day expedition with local researchers and Indigenous community members. They located two plants without flowers, but on their final night, found a flowering specimen in a remote lake.

The newly identified Victoria colombiana has leaves up to 2 meters (6.6 feet) wide. Its existence remained unknown due to its rarity and remote habitat, inaccessible to most people and scientific exploration.

Researchers estimate there are only 30-50 wild Victoria colombiana plants, classifying it as critically endangered. Efforts are underway to collect seeds for propagation in botanic gardens and local communities.

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